Order of the Golden Sprout The New Robert Rankin Fan Club

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I said there wouldn't be one this month as the magazine is on its way, and it is, but I wanted to share some things with all of you. Not just the members but all those registered user and those that just drop in....

Fanclubs, what's that all about? I do wonder where there is a start age, a cut off age and a restart age for joining a fanclub - it all feels so geeky and (dare he say it) teenage. I have been in three fanclubs in my life, the first was the Manga fanclub. This was before Manga was cool and a long time before Jonathan Ross made Manga and Japanese / Korean animation or live actions film almost main stream. I stayed with it for the year and then the world caught up and it turned into a typically comercial / youth driven enteprise; it's where the money is! My second was the Official Star Star Trak Fanclub of the UK, I paid a years membership and never saw the year through as the club folded - it wasn't cheap but I did win an interactive star trek video game whilst a member; so not a dead loss....

I joined both of these in my late twenties/early thirties and felt slightly strange doing so, surely I was too old to be a fanclub member?

The third I joined was this, under its old guise of Sproutlore, I won't tell the story of how I joined but enough said that I was 42 at the time. Why did I take that plunge? Because this is a fanclub like no other! Firstly there is no shame to it age wise. There are members from 16 to 60 and they all are here because it is fun. Secondly, because of that loss of age barrier it means the club has a brilliant mix of characters in it and what a wonderful mix! Thirdly, there is a person that makes this fanclub all it is - he comes to every event he can and given half a chance (ahem) decides what the event will be, he makes the t-shirts, he makes the posters, he drinks the beer, he talks the toot......

He's Brilliant - his name is Robert Rankin, Oh; and he writes books or something ;-)

That's why I joined and it is also why I am now here in charge (sort of) of this fanclub - it is the most inclusive, the most fun and the (possibly the only) fanclub that its subject most engages in at the level that Robert does.

The second magazine since the name and management change is now on its way out, I hope you enjoy it. Inside are membership badges and pirate eyepatches, and; before I get the e-mails and letters complaining, these are going out to those that are signed and paid up members of this fanclub. If you are a carry-over member from Sproutlore then you will get your badge in the next magazine if you do re-subscribe - please do!

The Pirate Birthday party is full steam ahead (itinerary in the magazine) and at present we have over 60 coming - it's going to be big! Get on board before the spaces are gone....

Finally - with the new settings availble to me this is the last 'open' newsletter I will post. There will be some posted for members and users but predominantly the monthly will be members only......

I'll see you at the bar,

Ian.